Jim Morris (Dennis Quaid) never made it out of the minor leagues before a shoulder injury ended his pitching career. Now a married-with-children high school chemistry teacher and baseball coach in Texas, Jim's team makes a deal with him: If they win the district championship, Jim will try out with a major league organization. What happens next proves that you're never too old and it's never to late to go for your dream (and as a special bonus, The Rookie is based on a true story). Chat with Dennis Quaid about the film.

Dennis Quaid's other film credits include Breaking Away, The Big Easy, The Right Stuff, Traffic, and Any Given Sunday.

Cherry Hill,N.J. :
Hi Dennis,"The Rookie" is high on both my husband and my must see list of movies.How did you train to play Jim Morris,and how fast can you throw? JoAngela

Dennis Quaid:
Jim Gott, a major league pitcher with the Dodgers, trained me. I never put myself on a radar gun, because I didn't want to be disappointed. I wanted to get the mechanics right.Cherry Hill,N.J. :
Hello, I read in ESPN that you filmed a scene between innings at an actual game right there on the field of the arena.Is this true? If so ,was it much different filming in front of sports fans as apposed to extras? JoAngela

Dennis Quaid:
Yes. We filmed at a ballpark in Arlington, where Jim made his debut as well. It was really exciting -- 40,000 fans in the stadium. Quite a thrill.Mandeville Louisiana :
Where you a fan of baseball when you were a child?

Dennis Quaid:
Yes, absolutely. The Yankees were my team. Mickey Mantle and Willy Mays are probably my favorite players, along with Yogi Berra and Roger Maris. A classy team.Northborough, MA :
What is it like to play a person who really exists in a movie? Have you actually met Jim Morris?

Dennis Quaid:
Yes, I met Jim when I signed on to the movie about 3 months before we started shooting. He was also the technical advisor on the film. I always feel a special obligation when I play a real person. I try to get them right in spirit.Farmingdale, NY :
What part of Jim Morris' story touched your heart the most

Dennis Quaid:
I find Jim to be a person who possesses true humility. As talented as he is, he thinks of others before himself, which is a rare trait in a human being.Dover, DE :
Dennis - Always enjoyed your films and looking forward to this one. Is there any tangent you can relate between this role and your real life? Also, how's your band and did you enjoy playing the Bottle and Cork in Dewey Beach?

Dennis Quaid:
We loved the Bottle and Cork! It was great. The band plays different gigs and has a great time.

The movie is a story about second chances, which I think everyone can relate to. Second chances with dreams and relationships.walled lake, mi :
I've enjoyed your wide range of films: the awesome Savior, Dragonheart, Any Given Sunday, now the Rookie.
Not many big name actors will do a G-rated film. Is there hesitation when you get a script that will
be rated-G.

Dennis Quaid:
No. We didn't set out to make a G-rated movie. I could go back and loop in a couple of words to make it triple-X really quick! But it's such a great story no one noticed we weren't saying the F-word.Marlborough, CT :
Are there any dreams that you feel you cannot realize due to your age?

Dennis Quaid:
I can't be major league baseball pitcher! I think I'm getting too old to be a fighter pilot, to be in the military.Lansing,MI :
What are your thoughts on Breaking Away? It is one of my all time favorite films and never fails to leave a smile on my face. Thank you.

Dennis Quaid:
It's also one of my favorites. It was a great time in my life, and Peter Yeats really captured middle America. The movie had such charm to it, and I always check to see who won the 500! In fact, they even started a cutter team after the movie came out.(Rob) Charlotte, North Carolina) :
Did doing this film fill any kind of personal void for you such as wanting to ever play any type of pro sport? Also do you have a favorite baseball team?

Dennis Quaid:
That's the great thing about doing a sports movie. You get paid to go to fantasy camp! The whole movie was like a fantasy camp.Comment from USATODAY.com Host:
Thanks to Dennis Quaid for chatting today, and to everyone who wrote in. Sorry we couldn't get to the many questions, but we had too many to address in such a short time.